Evans & Hawthorn win Inaugural races at Howth Yacht Club

8 of the 13 M15s made it to the start line for the first ever Melges15 Race last night.  OOD David Sargent and team ran two races or the new fleet alongside the other HYC dinghies in winds of  8-14 knots. 

A long first beat saw tiring sailors reach the first mark in a close bunch, with Stephen and Kirsty Quinn being first to hoist with the bright yellow kite leading the fleet downwind.  Cormac Farrelly and crew Charlie Keating set the fastest speed on the night at 13.4knots but it was not enough to catch the leading pair. Mike Evans and crew Jonathon Hawthorn did manage though and with a final gybe on the second downwind sailed into first place to take the win.

With a clear win in the second race, Mike and Jonathon took the overall win for the night as well as the inaugural trophy and matching M15 caps. Other prizewinners on the night were Sarah Lovegrove and Lynn Henderson with a strong showing. Racing continues next Thursday.